Train-control system.



1). L. HOPKINS.

V TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM.

APPLIGATION FILED 111111.22, 1913.

Witnesses fill ventor Attorneys 1H5 NORRIS PETERS CD., FHOTO-LITHQ.WASHINGTON, D c.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

ments in a 7 DAVID L. HOPKINS OF BRYSON, NORTH CAROLINA.

TRAIN-CONTROL sYsrnM.

Application filed March 22, 1913.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, DAVID L. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bryson, in the county of Swain and State of North Carolina,have invented a new and useful Train-Control System, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvetrain control system, one objectof the invention being the provision of a track ramp mechanism adaptedto be normally locked in safety or clear position to be electricallyactuated to assume a danger position to stop a train encroaching uponthe territory of the train which just actuated the ramp device, therebeing provided train actuated means controlled by the train leaving theblock to reset the ramp device to clear or safety position. 7

A further object of the present invention is the novel mounting of aramp arm, by means of which the same is permitted the necessary limitedswinging movement from safety to danger position and vice versa, therebeing provided train controlled means both electrically and mechanicallyfor actuating the ramp arm.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details or" construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing "from the spirit of theinvention.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating thecomplete system, as applied along the right of way. Fig. 2 is a view inelevation of the complete ramp, the same being in clear position. Fig. 3is a view taken from the left of the ramp as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 isa view in elevation of the switch closing lever. Fig. 5 is a sectiontaken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 1 and 2 designate the rails and3 designates a passing locomotive or train, which is proceeding in thedirection of the arrow Fig. 1. The projecting end 4 of the lever 5 whichis pivoted at 5, with. the parts in the position as shown in Fig. 1, hasbeen operated by the train, as will presently appear and such mechanicaloperation has caused the elevation of the rod 7 and the semaphore 8, the

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Mar. as, rare.

Serial as. 756,187. V

catch 9 having engaged the lever 5 to mailitain the semaphore 8 indanger position.

By this means the danger signal is exposed the rear of the passingtrain, while after the train has passed the ramp actuating lever 27, thedetail description of which will presently appear, the projecting end 11of the lever 12 is depressed so as to close the switch plates14 and 15and energize the electromagnet 10, which in turn releases the catch 9and the semaphore 8 to its-biased clear positlon. The lever 12, shown inFig.

1, and in detail in Figs. 4 and 5, is pivoted ling the switch plates 29and 30 of the circuit for releasing the ramp arm 46 to danger position.Thiscircuit includes the rail 1, the conductor 31, the battery 32, thecontact plate 30, the contact plate 29, the com ductor 33, theelectromagnet 34, the conductor 35, the rail 2, and the axle of thetrain 3 to the rail 1. Thus the depression of the lever 27 closes thecontact plates at 29 and 30 and causes the energization of theelectromagnet 34 which as will presently appear'attracts the armature 44whose terminal 45 moves the plate or link 43 out of engagement with thelock plate 54, (Fig. 3) so that the ramp arm 46 is free to move bygravity from the full to dotted line position Fig. 2. There is disposedadjacent the ramp 46 or at a desired position therebeyond, a lever 37,having the projecting end 36, said lever 37 being pivotally swungintermediate of its ends by means of the pin 38, so that when they end36 is engaged by the roller 25, the same will be moved to operate thecrank 39 and rock the shaft 40. This action will cause the arm 41disposed in the slot 42 in the lower same in such position untilreleased by the armature 44.

The ramp arm 46 pivoted at 47 to a member or cross-arm 18, Which issupported fixedly to the post 52, there being provided a pin 49 in theshort end of the arm 4E6 Which slides in the arcuate slot 50 or" the end51 of the member e8, this pin and slot forming the means for limitingthe swinging movement of the ramp arm and consequent! the throttle andair brake operating roller 53.

From the foregoing descriptien, it is evident that With the presentsystem applied to a single track railroad, that the present and centr 1gmechanism may he appiied at any points desired and that the d tances forope? 'ing the signal and placing the ramp in danger position may beVaried according to conditions, ard With a system as herein set forth atrain an preaching head on Will he brought to a halt Whiie oneapproachifrom the rear Will be given a danger signal.

W hat is claimed is:

In a ramp throwing and resetting mechanism, a source of eiectricalenergy; an electromagnet; a switch; normaiiy open circuit including suchsource, said electromagnet and said switch; trai; actuated to ciosctheswitch as the train enters the il-iOCii; a post; a i-shaped memt-erattached to the post; a ramp arm pivoted to said member for verticalmovement; cooperable means carried by said member and the ramp arm toiimit the swinging movement of the arm; a link having an offset lowerend and operahly connected at its upper end to the ramp arm; said offsetarm having a tension in one direction; a fixed stop in the path thereof;an armature under the influence of the electromagnet for engaging theoffset end of the link to release it from the stop; the energization ofthe electromagnet attracting t e armature to release the ramp arm, andt. n actuated means adjacent the post and eonnected to the link forresetting the ramp arm.

in testimony that I claim the ioregoi" g as my own, 1 have heretoaffixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID HQPLINS.

Witnesses:

SELINA NILnsoN, I. E. SnirsoN.

Comes of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Entrants Washington, D. G.

